Information handling system including dynamic configuration of piezoelectric transducers for multi-functionality

ABSTRACT

An information handling system includes an outer housing and a processor and a memory disposed in the outer housing. The processor is configured to execute instructions to process information. The memory is configured to store the information. The information handling system includes a piezoelectric transducer disposed in the outer housing and mechanically coupled to a surface held by the outer housing. The information handling system includes a sensor disposed in the outer housing and configured to generate an indicator of user presence in a zone proximate to the piezoelectric transducer and above a second side of the surface. The information handling system includes a controller disposed in the outer housing and coupled to the memory. The controller is configured to selectively configure the piezoelectric transducer to be responsive to a first subsystem or to be responsive to a second subsystem according to the indicator of user presence.

BACKGROUND Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to information handling systems, and moreparticularly to information handling systems including piezoelectrictransducers.

Description of the Related Art

As the value and use of information continues to increase, individualsand businesses seek additional ways to process and store information.One option available to users is information handling systems. Aninformation handling system generally processes, compiles, stores,and/or communicates information or data for business, personal, or otherpurposes thereby allowing users to take advantage of the value of theinformation. Because technology and information handling needs andrequirements vary between different users or applications, informationhandling systems may also vary regarding what information is handled,how the information is handled, how much information is processed,stored, or communicated, and how quickly and efficiently the informationmay be processed, stored, or communicated. The variations in informationhandling systems allow for information handling systems to be general orconfigured for a specific user or specific use such as financialtransaction processing, airline reservations, enterprise data storage,or global communications. In addition, information handling systems mayinclude a variety of hardware and software components that may beconfigured to process, store, and communicate information and mayinclude one or more computer systems, data storage systems, andnetworking systems.

An exemplary information handling system includes piezoelectrictransducers configured as part of an audio subsystem, input subsystem,or haptic feedback subsystem. If more than one use occurssimultaneously, interaction of the uses may degrade the user experience.Use of multiple piezoelectric transducers in the same locations formultiple applications can realize multiple uses simultaneously. However,under some circumstances, when multiple use cases occur simultaneously,interaction between vibrations generated for different applications candegrade the user experience. For example, if a user of an informationhandling system is listening to music generated by an audio subsystem ofthe information handling system, hand placement of the user for typing,using a touchpad, or touch screen, may be disrupted by the vibrationsfor generating sound. Accordingly, improved techniques for implementingsubsystems using piezoelectric transducers are desired.

SUMMARY OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION

In at least one embodiment, an information handling system includes anouter housing and a processor disposed in the outer housing. Theprocessor is configured to execute instructions to process information.The information handling system includes a memory disposed in the outerhousing. The memory is configured to store the information. Theinformation handling system includes a piezoelectric transducer disposedin the outer housing and mechanically coupled to a first side of asurface held by the outer housing. The information handling systemincludes a sensor disposed in the outer housing and configured togenerate an indicator of user presence in a zone proximate to thepiezoelectric transducer and above a second side of the surface. Theinformation handling system includes a controller disposed in the outerhousing and coupled to the memory. The controller is configured toselectively configure the piezoelectric transducer to be responsive to afirst subsystem or to be responsive to a second subsystem according tothe indicator of user presence.

In at least one embodiment, a method for operating an informationhandling system includes selectively configuring a piezoelectrictransducer mechanically coupled to a surface to operate responsive to afirst subsystem in response to detection of presence of a user in a zoneproximate to the information handling system. The method includesselectively configuring the piezoelectric transducer mechanicallycoupled to the surface to operate responsive to a second subsystem inresponse to detection of absence of the user in the zone proximate tothe information handling system.

In at least one embodiment, an apparatus includes a plurality ofpiezoelectric transducers and a surface mechanically coupled to theplurality of piezoelectric transducers. The apparatus includes a sensorconfigured to generate an indicator of user presence proximate to theplurality of piezoelectric transducers. The apparatus includes acontroller configured to selectively configure each piezoelectrictransducer of the plurality of piezoelectric transducers to generatevibrations as part of a distributed mode loudspeaker or to generatelocal vibrations in response to a haptic feedback subsystem according tothe indicator of user presence.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention may be better understood, and its numerousobjects, features, and advantages made apparent to those skilled in theart by referencing the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an information handling system.

FIG. 2 illustrates a user digit in a zone proximate to the informationhandling system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 illustrates zones of the information handling system of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary cross-sectional view of a piezoelectrictransducer in Contact with a surface of an information handling system.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of a surface, array of piezoelectrictransducers, and a motherboard in a housing of an information handlingsystem consistent with at least one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a functional block diagram of a system of theportable information handling system including dynamic configuration ofmulti-zone piezoelectric transducers for multi-functionality consistentwith at least one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates information and control flows for an informationhandling system including dynamic configuration of multi-zonepiezoelectric transducers for multi-functionality consistent with atleast one embodiment of the invention.

The use of the same reference symbols in different drawings indicatessimilar or identical items.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary information handling system (e.g.,laptop computing device, tablet computing device, or other portableinformation handling system) that implements dynamic configuration ofpiezoelectric transducers to provide multi-functionality. Dynamicconfiguration of piezoelectric transducers reduces the number ofpiezoelectric transducers included in the information handling systemand reduces or eliminates degradation of the user experience whenmultiple subsystems that use piezoelectric transducers operatesimultaneously. During operation of information handling system 100, avariety of hardware and software elements cooperate to select andpresent user interfaces that enhance user interactions. In at least oneembodiment, an operating system generally coordinates interactions withuser devices, such as a keyboard, mouse, touchpad, or display.

Outer housing of information handling system 100 includes lid housingportion 110 and base housing portion 102. Lid housing portion 110includes display 108. In at least one embodiment, display 108 includes atouchscreen (e.g., capacitive touchscreen) user interface. Base housingportion 102 includes keyboard 104 and touch pad of a user inputsubsystem. In one embodiment, rather than include a keyboard and touchpad, a second display (e.g., capacitive touchscreen) is included as theuser input subsystem. A user sets an input value by touching thetouchscreen at a user interface location. Touchscreen user interfacesmay define values with input buttons presented by an application or maydefine a user interface that more generally accepts user inputs. Forexample, an operating system executing on the information handlingsystem supports presentation of a keyboard user interface on atouchscreen and then accepts user inputs as touches at the keyboard thathave the key value presented in the user interface. Touchscreen keyboarddisplays provide a convenient input device for portable informationhandling systems that lack an integrated keyboard. Typically, atouchscreen display includes a touch controller interfaced withcapacitive sensors of display 108 to determine the location of touchesand to provide the location to the operating system. Touch controllerstypically execute embedded code on a microcontroller so that capacitivevalues sensed at the touchscreen are constantly scanned or monitored todetermine touch inputs. Various touch algorithms apply touch area size,detected capacitance and the amount of time that the touch is detectedto discriminate between intentional inputs and incidental touches.

In at least one embodiment, information handling system 100 includes anaudio system that provides sound to a user of information handlingsystem 100. Reduced profile information handling systems (e.g., laptopsor tablets) include a distributed mode loudspeaker implemented usingpiezoelectric transducers that directly contact a solid panel or surfacein lid housing portion 110 and base housing portion 102 and induceuniformly distributed vibration modes in that surface. An audiosubsystem drives piezoelectric transducers with signals havingintensities and frequency responses that excite natural resonant modalstructure of the surface to cause the surface to vibrate and generatesound.

In addition, information handling system 100 includes a haptic feedbacksystem that implements haptic feedback technology. The haptic feedbacksystem provides a force, vibration, motion, or sound to a user inresponse to user input to enhance user experience with a device. Forexample, a touchscreen keyboard (or other user input device in lidhousing portion 110 and base housing portion 102) is dynamicallyconfigured to provide haptic feedback that locally vibrates a surface tosimulate depressing key when virtual keys are displayed. A hapticfeedback controller generates signals that control the frequency,duration, or intensity of the haptic feedback according to predeterminedsettings. The controller configures a piezoelectric transducer toprovide vibration or movement to indicate to a user that an input valuewas detected in association with a user interface, such as by clickingat an incremental input. In an embodiment, a haptic feedback systemincludes an array of piezoelectric transducers that cause localvibration of a surface to generate haptic effects (e.g., sound ortactile vibration) in response to user input. In some embodiments,information handling system 100 also includes an input subsystem thatconfigures piezoelectric transducers to generate electrical signals inresponse to a force on the surface.

Information handling system 100 implements selective configuration ofpiezoelectric transducers to provide multi-functionality withoutsignificant degradation of the user experience. In at least oneembodiment of information handling system 100, base housing portion 102includes an input subsystem, e.g., keyboard, touchpad, function button,and various other input devices. An array of piezoelectric transducersis included within lid housing portion 110, beneath display 108, or inbase housing portion 102, beneath the keyboard and palm rest 114. In atleast one embodiment, lid housing portion 110 includes camera 116,although in other embodiments one or more cameras or proximity detectorsare included in lid housing portion 110 or base housing portion 102. Forexample, a proximity sensor uses an electromagnetic field or a beam ofelectromagnetic radiation and detects changes in the field or returnsignal to detect presence of a user digit in a zone proximate to akeyboard or other portion of information handling system 100. Camera 116or other proximity sensors are used to detect the presence of a user(e.g., a user digit) without physical contact, as illustrated in FIG. 2.A processor coupled to or incorporated with camera 116 or other sensorsuses signal processing techniques to determine presence of a user (e.g.,user digit) in one or more zones proximate to one or more correspondingpiezoelectric transducers based on images provided by camera 116 orsensor signals, respectively.

FIG. 3 illustrates exemplary zones of piezoelectric transducersdistributed across surface 300 for selective configuration according tomultiple subsystems of an information handling system. In at least oneembodiment, the placement of piezoelectric transducers corresponds tothe natural resonant model of the surface or panel for use in an audiosubsystem as a distributed mode loudspeaker. The natural resonant modelof the surface or panel will vary according to material, size, and shapeof the surface or panel, according to sizes of the piezoelectrictransducers, and according to amplitude and duration of correspondingelectrical signals. Each piezoelectric transducer is associated with azone above a surface or panel in which a sensor detects presence orabsence of a user (e.g., a user digit). Although only six zones areillustrated in FIG. 3, other embodiments of an information handlingsystem include other numbers of zones (e.g., an N×M grid of zones, whereN and M are each integers greater than or equal to one) or other shapes(e.g., zones that correspond to regions of input devices on main housingportion). For example, a piezoelectric transducer array that isselectively configurable for use in different subsystems includes zonesthat correspond to the keys of a keyboard, zones of a touch pad, andzones of a palm rest with no user input devices.

In at least one embodiment, in a default configuration, all zones of apiezoelectric transducer array are selectively configured to becontrolled by an audio subsystem. However, in other embodiments, aportion of the zones are selectively configured to be controlled by theaudio subsystem and others are selectively configured to be controlledby a haptic feedback subsystem. For example, the zones associated withthe keyboard and touch pad are selectively driven by the audio subsystemor the haptic feedback subsystem, while other zones that are notassociated with user input are always driven according to signalsgenerated by the audio subsystem. Note that subsystems described hereinare exemplary only and in other embodiments of an information handlingsystem, an array of piezoelectric transducers are selectively configuredfor operation in different combinations of subsystems. In at least oneembodiment, a controller loads a predetermined configuration from memory(e.g., all zones used for sound or some zones used for sound) or mayhave a fixed configuration of selectively enablable zones. The techniquethat configures one array of piezoelectric transducers to servicemultiple subsystems, thereby reducing the number of piezoelectrictransducers included in an information handling system, which can reducecost, power consumption, and size of the information handling system.

In general, a piezoelectric transducer includes a material that exhibitsthe piezoelectric effect by mechanically deforming when exposed to anelectric field, thus producing mechanical energy (e.g., pressure,acceleration, strain, force, or torque) in response to received electricsignals. A bi-directional piezoelectric transducer can be configured toconvert mechanical energy (e.g., pressure) into an electrical signal andcan be configured to convert an electrical signal into mechanicalenergy. In at least one embodiment, the piezoelectric transducerincludes piezoelectric electric materials in a multi-laminar structure(e.g., manufactured using processes similar to semiconductormanufacturing processes) that includes vertical crystals, horizontalcrystals, or other piezoelectric material structures. The piezoelectrictransducer is mechanically coupled to (e.g., in contact with) a surfaceor panel to sense pressure, create localized vibrations, or generatesound as part of a distributed mode loudspeaker.

FIG. 4 illustrates an exemplary piezoelectric transducer. Piezoelectrictransducer 400 includes electrical contacts 402 and 408 that areelectrically connected to piezoelectric material 410. Surface 412 (e.g.,a plastic, glass, or metal surface) is mechanically coupled topiezoelectric material 410. In at least one configuration ofpiezoelectric transducer 400, a force applied to surface 412 causespiezoelectric material 410 to generate an electrical signal throughelectrical contacts 402 and 408. In general, a bi-directionalpiezoelectric transducer (e.g., high-voltage single layer devices orlower voltage, multi-layer devices) has a sensitivity in a range that issuitable to detect pressure applied to the surface and suitable forgenerating vibrations appropriate for audio applications or a hapticfeedback application. For example, the voltage and blocking forceF_(max) (i.e., the maximum force that is generated by the transducer,which is achieved when displacement of the transducer is completelyblocked) is suitable for audio and haptic feedback applications. In atleast one embodiment, piezoelectric transducer 400 is capable ofconfiguration for generating sound and for generating haptic feedbackand is driven using signals generated by a selected subsystem.

In a distributed mode loudspeaker configuration, piezoelectrictransducer 400 receives electrical signals from an audio subsystem viaelectrical contacts 402 and 408. Those electrical signals causedisplacement of piezoelectric material 410 with respect to surface 412with an intensity and frequency response that induces uniformlydistributed vibration modes in surface 412. In a haptic feedbackconfiguration, piezoelectric transducer 400 receives electrical signalsfrom a haptic feedback subsystem via electrical contacts 402 and 408.Those electrical signals cause displacement of piezoelectric material410 with respect to surface 412 with an intensity and frequency responsethat induces localized vibrations in surface 412. In some embodiments,lower frequency signals (e.g., signals having frequencies below audiblefrequencies or in the lower frequency range of audible signals) or lowvolume signals (e.g., signals having volumes that are less audible orinaudible relative to sound produced by the audio system) are used toinduce the localized vibrations used by a haptic feedback system toreduce or eliminate any disruption to user experience for the audiosystem. Intensity may vary according to surface 412 (e.g., according tomaterial thickness or material type of surface 412).

Referring to FIG. 5, in an embodiment of an information handling system,base housing portion 502, which includes motherboard 14, also housespiezoelectric transducers 504 that are in contact with (i.e., aremechanically coupled to) a side of display 506. Display 506 is atouchscreen user interface that displays a keyboard. Display 506provides a surface for piezoelectric transducers 504 that areselectively configurable to cause display 506 to vibrate as part of ahaptic feedback subsystem to simulate depressing a key when virtual keysdisplayed or to vibrate as part of a distributed mode loudspeaker aspart of an audio subsystem. In at least one embodiment, at least some ofthe piezoelectric transducers 504 are bi-directional and can beselectively configured as part of the input subsystem, an audiosubsystem, a haptic feedback subsystem, or other subsystem. Thepiezoelectric transducer converts electrical signals into mechanicalenergy or converts mechanical energy (e.g., pressure) into an electricalsignal (e.g., converts pressure applied to an input device into anelectrical signal) according to a selected mode of operation.

In at least one embodiment of an information handling system, basehousing portion 502 includes a motherboard 14 supporting processingcomponents that cooperate to process information. For example, centralprocessing unit 16 executes instructions to process information storedin a random-access memory (RAM) 18, such as instructions of an operatingsystem and applications. Embedded controller 20 manages power andinteractions with input/output devices. Chipset 22 includes at leastportions of an audio subsystem 606, a haptic feedback subsystem 604, andcontroller 608 described below. Chipset 28 manages operation of centralprocessing unit 16, such as providing power, clock and memory accessfunctions. In an exemplary embodiment, motherboard 14 fits into outerhousing portion 502 along with other components, such as solid-statedrive (SSD) 24 and battery 26. In addition to the components depicted inthe exemplary embodiment, other types of components may be included,such as to support graphics processing, wireless communication, orperipheral device interfaces.

Referring to FIG. 6, information handling system 600 includes audiosubsystem 606, haptic feedback subsystem 604, and controller 608 thatselectively configures piezoelectric transducers 610 in response tosensor signals for zones proximate to piezoelectric transducers 610. Inat least one embodiment, audio subsystem 606 uses maps of zones of thepiezoelectric transducers to generate audio configuration signals tocontrol piezoelectric transducers 610 as part of a distributed modeloudspeaker. The maps of zones may include a left zone and a right zonefor left and right channels of stereo audio output and subzones withineach of the left zone and right zone. Audio subsystem 606 sends signalsto controller 608, which selectively sends those signals topiezoelectric transducers 610 that are mechanically coupled to a surfaceof the information handling system. While sending left and right channelaudio, controller 608 selectively blocks signals generated by the audiosubsystem 606 that are associated with one or more subzones ofpiezoelectric transducers to disable corresponding piezoelectrictransducer of piezoelectric transducers 610 according to proximityinformation received from sensor 602. Sensor 602 includes a capacitivesensor, a camera, a piezoelectric transducer configured as a pressuresensor, or other proximity sensor In at least one embodiment, controller608 uses signal processing techniques to determine presence of a user(e.g., user digit) in one or more zones proximate to one or morecorresponding piezoelectric transducers based on signals received fromsensor 602.

In at least one embodiment, controller 608 provides a feedback signal toaudio subsystem 606 that indicates any subzones that are disabled inresponse to detecting a user in a zone proximate to the piezoelectrictransducer. Audio subsystem 606 uses that feedback information to updatefilter algorithms and gain functions to generate electrical signals withintensity and frequency response to induce uniformly distributedvibration modes in a surface using any piezoelectric transducersselectively enabled to be driven by audio subsystem 606. Initially, thefilter or gain is based on a frequency response for all of thepiezoelectric transducers being enabled. Disabling one or morepiezoelectric transducers in response to user presence changes thefrequency response of the distributed mode loudspeaker and an actualfilter response of the audio subsystem 606 deviates from a target filterresponse. Accordingly, audio subsystem 606 uses the feedback informationto update one or more filters using the new frequency response. The oneor more filters can include equalization filters, tuning filters,multiband compression filters, bass enhancement filter, soundenhancement filters, or combined filters for sound tuning or other audiosignal post-processing used to enhance audio signals. Typical filtersare implemented digitally with a plurality of filter taps. Rather thancompute updated filter taps during operation of the information handlingsystem, a plurality of predetermined sets of equalization filter tapsfor different profiles of active piezoelectric transducers may be storedin memory and loaded according to selectively enabled zones indicated inthe feedback signal. In at least one embodiment, the predeterminedequalization filter taps are determined to cause a user to have asimilar audio experience even when different zones of piezoelectrictransducers are enabled for the audio subsystem 606.

In at least one embodiment, system 600 updates the volume of signalscorresponding to the zones enabled for audio subsystem 606 to compensatefor the absence of signal output of piezoelectric transducers inactivein audio subsystem 606 to thereby maintain the same audio experienceimplemented by different combinations of piezoelectric transducers. Thevolume adjustment may be implemented by the audio subsystem 606 or bycontroller 608. A plurality of predetermined gain profiles correspondingto different profiles of piezoelectric transducers selectivelyconfigured for audio subsystem 606 may be stored in memory and loadedaccording to selected configurations of piezoelectric transducers.

If piezoelectric transducers 610 are configured to be driven by audiosubsystem 606 and if controller 608 receives location informationindicating a user digit in a zone proximate to one or more piezoelectrictransducer, the controller 608 disables the audio signal for the zonecorresponding to the location information (e.g., by blocking an audioreceived from audio subsystem 606 for that zone). In at least oneembodiment, the piezoelectric transducer in that zone is configured toreceive a signal generated by haptic feedback subsystem 604. The signalprovides parameters (e.g., duration, vibration frequency, or intensity)for generating haptic feedback, which may vary according to the type ofuser input and may be user selectable and stored in memory. In at leastone embodiment, controller 608 provides a feedback signal to audiosubsystem 606. The feedback signal causes audio subsystem 606 to updatethe configuration of piezoelectric transducers that continue to bedriven by audio subsystem 606 (e.g., to compensate for the piezoelectrictransducer that is now driven by a signal generated by haptic feedbacksubsystem 604).

Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, in at least one embodiment, controller 608determines a mode of operation of system 600 (702). For example, a firstmode of operation configures piezoelectric transducers according to adefault configuration that configures all piezoelectric transducersmechanically coupled to a surface for generating sound according toaudio subsystem 606 and haptic feedback is disabled. A second mode ofoperation configures some of piezoelectric transducers 610 and surface612 to generate sound according to audio subsystem 606 and others ofpiezoelectric transducers 610 to be responsive to haptic feedbacksubsystem 604. If system 600 is configured for either of those staticconfigurations of piezoelectric transducers, then controller 608 setsparameters for each piezoelectric transducer accordingly (e.g., bydriving each piezoelectric transducer with signals generated by aselected subsystem) (714).

If controller 608 determined that system 600 is operating in a dynamicmode (e.g., a third mode), system 600 continues to operate using acurrent configuration of the piezoelectric transducers until sensors 602detect a user in proximity to a zone associated with one or morepiezoelectric transducers (704). If sensors 602 detect a user in a zonein proximity to the piezoelectric transducers (e.g., a user digit orhand is in proximity to the keyboard), then controller 608 determineswhether system 600 is generating sound (706). If system 600 is notgenerating sound at that time, then controller 608 configurespiezoelectric transducers 610 to be controlled by haptic feedbacksubsystem 604 (708). If piezoelectric transducers 610 are being drivenby audio subsystem 606 at that time, then controller 608 configurespiezoelectric transducers in a zone proximate to the user to becontrolled by haptic feedback subsystem 604 and adjusts parameters forother piezoelectric transducers that continue to operate in audio modeaccordingly to provide a consistent user experience (710). If theoperating mode remains dynamic (i.e., no change of operating mode tomode 1 or mode 2) (712), then controller 608 continues to selectivelyconfigure piezoelectric transducers 610 according to whether a user isdetected proximate to the piezoelectric transducers (704). If userproximity has changed (e.g., a user digit is no longer present proximateto a piezoelectric transducer), then controller 608 configures apiezoelectric transducer that was previously controlled by hapticfeedback subsystem 604 to be controlled by audio subsystem 606 togenerate sound and causes parameter adjustments for piezoelectrictransducers in other zones that continue to operate in audio modeaccordingly (710). If the mode changes from a dynamic mode of selectiveconfiguration to a static configuration (712), then controller 608updates the parameters according to the static configuration (714).

For purposes of this disclosure, an information handling system mayinclude any instrumentality or aggregate of instrumentalities operableto compute, classify, process, transmit, receive, retrieve, originate,switch, store, display, manifest, detect, record, reproduce, handle, orutilize any form of information, intelligence, or data for business,scientific, control, or other purposes. For example, an informationhandling system may be a personal computer, a network storage device, orany other suitable device and may vary in size, shape, performance,functionality, and price. The information handling system may includerandom access memory (RAM), one or more processing resources such as acentral processing unit (CPU) or hardware or software control logic,ROM, and/or other types of nonvolatile memory. Additional components ofthe information handling system may include one or more disk drives, oneor more network ports for communicating with external devices as well asvarious input and output (I/O) devices, such as a keyboard, a mouse, anda video display. The information handling system may also include one ormore buses operable to transmit communications between the varioushardware components.

Thus, techniques for implementing dynamic configuration of piezoelectrictransducers for multi-functionality have been disclosed. The descriptionof the invention set forth herein is illustrative and is not intended tolimit the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.For example, while the invention has been described in an embodiment inwhich a portable information handling system implements the invention,one of skill in the art will appreciate that the teachings herein can beutilized with other information handling system components in otherlocations of the system (e.g., desktop computers, storage towers,external peripherals, keyboards, touchpads, smart speakers, etc.).Structures described herein may be implemented using software executingon a processor (which includes firmware) or by a combination of softwareand hardware. Software, as described herein, may be encoded in at leastone tangible (i.e., non-transitory) computer readable medium. Asreferred to herein, a tangible computer-readable medium includes atleast a disk, tape, or other magnetic, optical, or electronic storagemedium. The terms “first,” “second,” “third,” and so forth, as used inthe claims, unless otherwise clear by context, is to distinguish betweendifferent items in the claims and does not otherwise indicate or implyany order in time, location or quality. Variations and modifications ofthe embodiments disclosed herein may be made based on the descriptionset forth herein, without departing from the scope of the invention asset forth in the following claims.

1. An information handling system comprising: an outer housing; a processor disposed in the outer housing, the processor being configured to execute instructions to process information; a memory disposed in the outer housing, the memory being configured to store the information; a piezoelectric transducer disposed in the outer housing and mechanically coupled to a first side of a surface held by the outer housing; a sensor disposed in the outer housing and configured to generate an indicator of user presence in a zone proximate to the piezoelectric transducer and above a second side of the surface; and a controller disposed in the outer housing, wherein the controller is configured to selectively configure the piezoelectric transducer to be responsive to a first subsystem or to be responsive to a second subsystem according to the indicator of user presence.
 2. The information handling system, as recited in claim 1, further comprising: an audio subsystem of the information handling system, wherein the first subsystem is the audio subsystem and the piezoelectric transducer is selectively configured to vibrate the surface as part of a distributed mode loudspeaker responsive to an absence of a user in the zone proximate to the piezoelectric transducer.
 3. The information handling system, as recited in claim 1, further comprising: a haptic feedback subsystem of the information handling system, wherein the second subsystem is the haptic feedback subsystem and the piezoelectric transducer is selectively configured to vibrate the surface locally according to the haptic feedback subsystem responsive to presence of a user in the zone proximate to the piezoelectric transducer.
 4. The information handling system, as recited in claim 1, further comprising: additional piezoelectric transducers configured to be responsive to the first subsystem, wherein the first subsystem is configured to adjust parameters of the additional piezoelectric transducers in response to configuration of the piezoelectric transducer responsive to the second subsystem.
 5. The information handling system, as recited in claim 4, wherein the parameters include intensity and frequency response of displacement of a piezoelectric material in the piezoelectric transducer with respect to the surface.
 6. The information handling system, as recited in claim 4, wherein each of the piezoelectric transducer and the additional piezoelectric transducers is configured to be responsive to the first subsystem or the second subsystem according to a predetermined subsystem assignment prior to detecting user presence in the zone proximate to the piezoelectric transducer.
 7. The information handling system, as recited in claim 6, wherein the controller configures the piezoelectric transducer and the additional piezoelectric transducers to be responsive to the second subsystem if the first subsystem is disabled.
 8. The information handling system, as recited in claim 1, wherein the sensor includes a proximity detector, a pressure sensor, or a camera.
 9. The information handling system, as recited in claim 1, wherein the surface is a touchscreen disposed in the outer housing.
 10. A method for operating an information handling system comprising: configuring a piezoelectric transducer mechanically coupled to a surface to operate responsive to a first subsystem in response to detection of presence of a user in a zone proximate to the information handling system; and configuring the piezoelectric transducer mechanically coupled to the surface to operate responsive to a second subsystem in response to detection of absence of the user in the zone proximate to the information handling system.
 11. The method, as recited in claim 10, wherein the first subsystem is an audio subsystem of the information handling system.
 12. The method, as recited in claim 10, wherein the second subsystem is a haptic feedback subsystem of the information handling system.
 13. The method, as recited in claim 10, further comprising: adjusting signals driving additional piezoelectric transducers mechanically coupled to the surface in response to configuring the piezoelectric transducer mechanically coupled to the surface to operate responsive to the second subsystem.
 14. The method, as recited in claim 13, wherein the adjusting comprises: updating filters used to generate the signals driving the additional piezoelectric transducers mechanically coupled to the surface; and updating gain of signals driving the additional piezoelectric transducers mechanically coupled to the surface.
 15. The method, as recited in claim 10, further comprising: detecting presence of the user in the zone proximate to the information handling system.
 16. The method, as recited in claim 10, wherein presence includes physical contact or proximity of the user with a user input device.
 17. The method, as recited in claim 10, wherein the surface is a touchscreen disposed in an outer housing of the information handling system.
 18. An apparatus comprising: a plurality of piezoelectric transducers; a surface mechanically coupled to the plurality of piezoelectric transducers; a sensor configured to generate an indicator of user presence in each zone of a plurality of zones corresponding to the plurality of piezoelectric transducers; and a controller configured to selectively configure each piezoelectric transducer of the plurality of piezoelectric transducers to generate vibrations as part of a distributed mode loudspeaker or to generate local vibrations in response to a haptic feedback subsystem according to the indicator of user presence in each zone of the plurality of zones.
 19. The apparatus, as recited in claim 18, further comprising: an audio subsystem configured to generate piezoelectric transducer control signals that cause the plurality of piezoelectric transducers to generate vibrations as part of the distributed mode loudspeaker, wherein in response to a configuration change of a first piezoelectric transducer of the plurality of piezoelectric transducers from being part of the distributed mode loudspeaker to being responsive to the haptic feedback subsystem, the audio subsystem is configured to adjust the piezoelectric transducer control signals to compensate for the configuration change.
 20. The apparatus, as recited in claim 18, wherein the surface is a touchscreen disposed in an outer housing of an information handling system. 